MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL NATIONAL MEETING FOR THE CHINESE SHAR-PEI CLUB OF AMERICA, INC.
Date: May 20, 1999 Place: Holiday Inn Moline, IL Time: 8:06 PM
Board Members Attending: Jocelyn Barker, Georgette Schaefer, Kay Rosenberger, Shirley Rafferty, Romana Arnold, Bryan Timby, Gail Garrison, Ann Hickman
Board Members Absent: Darlene Wright, Jo Ann Leistner, Deborah Cooper, Robert Hall
CSPCA Members Attending: See attached listing
Acting Parliamentarians: Jenni Perin and Ben Stover
President Jocelyn Barker called the meeting to order. A meeting agenda was distributed. All CSPCA members in attendance were requested to sign the attendance sheet being passed around. Additional handouts were placed on the side table for CSPCA members to pick up. The Acting Parliamentarians were introduced.
Jocelyn was asked if we had a quorum this evening. She stated there was not a quorum present. As has been our past practice, it is the boards intent to hear the comments of the membership and take actions as necessary. The first item of business is a much deserve thanks to the host club and Georgia Alexander, Show Chairman. Georgia has done an incredible amount of work along with much assistance from Bud and Jo Ann Leistner. Jo Ann Leistner was not able to attend this evening, as she is sick. Every National Specialty has its special features and we hope that among those special features will be the thanks from the membership to the show committee - to the people who are doing the work. Please take the time and make the effort to thank those people who put on the show this year. Our parliamentarians this evening are Jenni Perin and Ben Stover. They are students at Muscatine High School and have been studying parliamentary procedures for the past two years in their agriculture program. Please welcome our parliamentarians. The second item of business is the reading of the minutes from the 98 General Membership meeting. The members that were chosen on the minute’s approval committee for 1998have approved these minutes and these minutes have also been published in The Barker. At this time I would like to ask for volunteers to work with the secretary to assist with the minutes. East - Bert Hickman, Central - Tom Ernst, and West - Gail Tighe.
President’s Report President Jocelyn Barker stated that she would dispense with her report. She has a few comments to make but she would make them later on in the meeting.
Treasurer’s Report Treasurer, Kay Rosenberger distributed the Statement of Cash Position and Fund Balances. The year-end report is dated December 31, 1998. We have changed our calendar year to be in compliance with AKC. The handout is more detailed than the one printed in the Barker. If there are any questions - please feel free to contact Kay at any time.
Secretary’s Report Georgette Schaefer, Secretary stated the last minutes were printed in the March/April 99 Barker.
Membership Secretary’s Report Jocelyn reported that Cathi DiGiacomo has mailed all membership renewals. Membership drive is going along very well and we appreciate everyone's participation.
AKC Delegate’s Report Lee Arnold reported that the previous meeting was March 9th. This past one is the most important meeting of the year as it is the election of the officers. Dr. Carmen Bataliagia, Patty Strand, and Robert Kelly are the three new directors on the AKC board. Ken Marden is the new Treasury. Following the delegates meeting they had a reorganizational meeting. The delegate body voted on several amendments and proposals Chap. 5 sec. 8 - the Poodle Club of America proposed this. This allows our National Specialty Club to award certain prizes on a multiple win basis where they now are offered on a one time only basis. This proposal passed. AKC registers 1 million dogs a year. Shar-Pei in 1998 were ranked # 35 of the 146. This is down from the previous year. Registration in Shar-Pei and other breeds are going down in the AKC. AKC is saying that this is a financial problem for them. Toy breeds and small breeds are going up. Dog shows are down 7.7%. AKC must be presented with properly completed paperwork, this includes all required signatures in order to register a litter and or dog. When a disagreement occurs - the parties must resolve it themselves. AKC will abide by the decision of the court. Lee will submit a complete report to be printed in the Barker.
Standard Committee Chairmen, Jo Ann Leistner and Darlene Wright were not able to attend this meeting. There has been an item of discussion brought to the Boards attention regarding the standard and this will be taken up under new business.
By-Laws, Rules & Regulations Jocelyn stated that there was no report printed in The Barker, as there was no action in those areas. Since that time, it has come to the attention of the Board there are a couple of areas in the by-laws that need clarification. One is in the nomination and acceptances for officers and directors. It is not clear how a nomination is to be accepted and when it needs to arrive; whether it needs to be post marked by a certain date or arrive by a certain date. The committee has been directed by the Board to draft an amendment of that section of the by-laws. That amendment will then be presented to AKC for their commentary and once we get through that step then it will be presented to the general membership in a ballot for your vote. This will be a written vote presented through the Barker.
Historian Report Report printed in the March/April 99 Barker. Mary Ellen Tarmen is not here but AKC has asked us to provide videotapes of our Nationals if they are available for their historical archives. If anyone has a tape this year of good quality and would like to offer that to AKC the Shar-Pei Club would be glad to assist you in offering that tape to them.
Code of Ethics Committee Chairman, Alan Klessig was not available. Jocelyn stated that if he arrives we would return to his report.
Budget and Finance Committee Chairman, Jocelyn Barker stated that there was a report printed in the Barker.
National Specialty Coordinator Committee Chairman, Jo Ann Leistner is not here. Membership was asked to address any questions to the Board. If the Board was unable to answer them they would be happy to carry them on to Jo Ann.
National Specialty Judges Selection Committee Chairman, Jocelyn Barker stated that there would be a new committee coming on. Jocelyn would like to thank those people for stepping up to serve on this committee. She also reminded members that if you serve on the committee you not allowed showing at Nationals for which you serve on the committee. This makes it difficult to find committee members. The choice of judges was offered to members in The Barker. Jocelyn received 204 responses for sweepstakes and conformation judges. Jocelyn was unable to report who the top vote getters were until she is able to contact those people and see if they are available to judge.
Futurity/Maturity Report Committee Chairman, Bert Hickman stated that they passed out $9400.00 in monetary awards. For next year they are on track and they are hoping to break the 10 thousand mark. They have also made some changes to the futurity/maturity rules and regulations to incorporate foreign dogs they may be eligible to enter into the program.
The Barker Editor, Jo Ann Redditt had no report. Jo Ann reminded members that advertising continues to go down and without the membership support we can't keep the quality that we now have. Debbie Taylor stated that she had written a letter to the Board representing the members of the Northern Washington Chinese Shar-Pei Club requesting a contract with the Barker. The letter stated that the club would purchase a contract (6 consecutive issues) and then the club members could take turns using the club ad along with the club using it as advertisement for their Club Specialties. There were some concerns by the Board when they read that proposal in terms of whether clubs could sign the current contract. The consensus of the Board felt that there was a real possibility in the idea and that we would make sure that we had handled it properly and that the contract would allow for us to enter into that situation. Jo Ann reminded us that in the past, a single individual has purchased a annual contract and then by handling the money themselves other people were able to advertise through that individual. There would certainly be no prohibition for an individual to do purchase a contract and working it out among puppy buyers and friends etc. The situation that Jocelyn wants to make clear is that CSPCA and the Barker are not going to become involved in collection or solving any problems. It would be an arrangement within the group. Tad Taylor also stated that there always would be a small ad for on the page for the club itself.
The Barker Liaison Jocelyn reported that Jane Good is on her way to Alaska and Robert Hall was unable to attend Nationals so there is no report. They continue to review the Barker and if there are questions for the committee the Board would be happy to pass them on to Robert and Jane.
Legal Liaison Report printed in March/April 98 Barker.
Health Through Education Jeff reported that the report is in the Barker. Since that report he has received 215 health surveys and he will publish the results of those in the next Barker. This way members would have current percentages. The tumor registry now contains 27 dogs. Regarding both surveys he would recommend that the members continue sending in the information. He is not going to end those surveys, he will continue them on an ongoing basis and make periodic reports. When that comes about he will discuss with Lee Arnold possible grants from the Charitable Trust. The owner’s guide we have sent out 4 to 5 hundred copies have been sent out. We have sent out over twelve hundred copies of the Veterinary guide. Concerning the health survey, all that is required of the survey is a vets interpretation of the dogs problem. He doesn’t need copies of blood tests etc. - just a good physical examination from your vet. He would also like to emphasize the importance of a postmortem examination. Most of us can not make the decision at the time because we are too emotional. Please discuss this with your vet in advance to make a note on your dog’s record.
OFA Representative Jocelyn reported that the OFA lists continue to be published in the Barker. Marilyn Pickard is the representative and was not able to attend the meeting. If a member has any questions please feel free to contact her.
CERF Representative Barbara Byse was not able to attend Nationals. The CERF program continues with somewhat less participation that some might hope. If the membership is interested in the CERF Program, Barbara can explain very clearly what they do and why you might be interested in it.
AKC Breeder Referral Dawn Walling has offered to take over this program. She has a new address and in the next few months you will see her address in the Barker. While this is all going on Jocelyn would certainly continue to help and answer any questions that anyone may have. Jocelyn stated that she was having problems with her phone. She was getting e-mail but is not receiving faxes or messages. She is missing a great many calls but she is working on the problem and hopes to have it taken care of very soon.
AKC Judges Education They are having a seminar as we meet. Karen Kleinhans, Co-chairman, is conducting that activity this evening and would be happy to answer any questions that you may have about the program.
AKC Gazette Breed Columnist Jo Ann is always looking for individuals that would be willing to submit materials. In the Gazette, we generally have a wide variety of our members writing on a wide variety of topics. We would be happy to consider what you might have to say. Jo Ann is the person to contact with your ideas and materials.
Rescue Coordinator Report was printed in the Barker. Bob Rosenberger said that as of that report we have had a few more rescues and a few more hundred dollars have been sent out. We have collected for the New Hampshire rescue, then sent the money out to them. They euthanized five dogs yesterday, May 19th. The humane society made that decision and some of employees have talked individuals out of taking a dog. Three out of the five dogs were scheduled to be placed in homes. Regarding current rescue dogs - we are up to 15 dogs at this time. A question was asked regarding the Parade of Rescues for next year. Bob stated that it was up to the Florida Committee. Sherry Muncell stated that as far as the Parade of Rescue, Jim & Lois Carter had done all the work for last year and this year’s shows. It would not take any additional work for the Florida group but to give them a time slot. We have about $380 left over from last year that would help and I believe that Georgia has about $200-300 this year so that it should be funded for the next couple of years if the CSPCA would make it a part of Nationals. People have been extremely generous. Jocelyn stated that the National Club could direct the local club to do that or the Florida club can offer to do it. Gail Garrison, as chairman, stated that she did not want to do it. She found lack of participation in Florida. Sherry stated that most rescues came from other areas rather than local. Lee Ernst suggested that we leave it open and see what happens on who might be interested and not close the door at this time. Linda Vidt suggested that there could be a deadline on interest in showing their rescue dog. A motion was made by Kay Rosenberger and seconded by Shirley Rafferty that there be a Parade of Rescue every year at Nationals. Discussion was made by Bob Rosenberger, Sherry Muncell, and Georgette Schaefer. Larry Rafferty called for the question. Motion passed with two opposed.
Junior Advisor Kim Philipps was not available.
Obedience Advisor Jeff Vidt stated this year was a pretty good year we had eleven novice dogs obedience titles, two open titles, one utility title, two-novice agility, three open agility, five novice agility jumpers, and two open agility jumpers. The agility jumper is a new title; it started about a year ago. The following awards for 1998 are the Top Novice Obedience Dog was CH Luvpats Shenzi Of Top Hat CD owned by Linda Vidt and Pat Grossman. She did that with an average score of 192.2 out of 200. Second Top Novice Obedience Dog was China-Puff’s Kodiak CD owned by Bob & Louise Watson with an average score of 187.2 and the third Top Novice Obedience Dog was Pogo Hills CD owned by Victoria and Beverly Hill with an average score of 179.3 points. Top Obedience dog was CH Cheigow Day Ling, CDX owned by Ed Faria with 196.5 points. There was no top Utility Obedience Dog this year. The one was a carry over, they received their third leg early in the year. We had three first awards. Two of them were a tie for the first Novice Utility Jumper award and that was Yu-No-Who Ivory, UD, AX, NAJ owned by Tanya Kucaba and Chinawest's Hong Kong Eureka, NA, NAJ owned by Marla Gularte. Both received this award on June 7, 1988. You Know Who Ivory went on to get the first Open Agility Jumper award. Some of the obedience is down but many times obedience shifts to agility. Most like to get their three obedience legs then move onto their three agility legs. Jocelyn stated that the ROM has been moved to specifically to conformation and Pat Evetts is handling that now. The Board has also taken the opportunity to begin the process for an Performance ROM award and Jane Good has graciously offered to try and gather all the information that is necessary to begin to recognize performance dogs who have earned ROM’s as well.
Audit Committee Al Daly was not available.
ADOA Delegate That report was printed in The Barker. Bert Hickman asked if there were any questions from the membership. There were none.
Public Education Jocelyn stated that John Cochran has chaired this committee. He is not able to fulfill this assignment. So the Chairman of this committee is now open. If you have an interest in this committee please notify anyone on the Board. CSPCA needs you desperately. Public education is one of the cornerstones of a club in the eyes of AKC. There is a great deal of support from AKC for the public education chairman. They provide newsletters and ideas and suggestions and lots of materials. So it’s not something that you would have to go into blind. We really need a public education person.
Affiliated Clubs Co-Chairman Gail Garrison said there was no report.
Regional Specialty Shows Chairman Kay Rosenberger had no report. Jocelyn stated that if you receive the Gazette, you may now be aware that specialty clubs may hold back to back shows. That would relieve the need for local clubs to have a regional specialty as they now can have two specialties on their own. The Board is expecting a recommendation that the CSPCA do away with regional specialty shows. That would free up the clubs that are concerned about paying $100 to have a show. It would also free up a lot of paper work. This is a step that the Board would like the membership’s opinion on. A lengthy discussion was made by the membership on whether we should get rid of the regional specialties. All affiliated clubs will be notified to get their opinion on their feelings of regional shows to the Board.
Procedures Manual The manual is a combination of documents and paperwork dealing with the operation of the CSPCA. Bob Rosenberger has been compiling this information. Bob stated that nothing has changed. He handed out 14 copies and for preview and received one back. There is no report in the Barker as there has been no action.
National Breed Clubs Alliance The former representative was Linda Tietlebaum. She has resigned and the position is now open. This is a group of representatives from the various parent clubs and they entertain issues that come up through the AKC and or through the Dept. of Agriculture. They speak in favor of the dog owner. This position usually includes answering some letters, forwarding letters to the Board and possible putting a letter in the Barker as some point if there is an issue present. If a member is interested, please contact the Board.
CSPCA Top Dog Program Cherokee Law has taken over this program. She is not able to be here. She is moving forward with it and if you have any questions you can contact her or jot them down and the Board would be happy to pass them on to her.
CSPCA Breeder Annual Awards Pat Evetts is the chairman and this also falls in with the ROM program. There have been significant changes to the program and Pat will be speaking to the membership tomorrow night at the banquet to fill you all in on the changes.
CSPCA Invitational Program Dawn Stefanski first brought this program forward and us unable to continue the work. If a member is interested please contact a board member. Dawn had done a lot of work and has the information available to the person that is interested in taking over this program.
CSPCA Special Awards Committee Bobbi Philipps was not available.
Therapy Dog Committee Marilyn Vinson has taken over this committee. She is working on compiling information and needs additional information from the therapy dog owners. Please contact her if your dog is eligible for this award. Sherry Munsell is going to work with the dogs that are doing the public education, Canine Ambassador where the dogs go into schools, malls, breeder show cases etc.
Register Of Merit The ROM is when a stud dog has produced 10 champions and brood bitch has produced 5 champions. The ROM has been upgraded and we now have plaques. The ROM’s will also automatically be presented at every Nationals. To date there are 63 register of merit dogs. 46 of which will be awarded tomorrow night. Pat Evetts is also keeping statistics on the color of the dogs, the age at which they finished. Dee Dee Wells had a question regarding tracking of foreign dogs.
Electronic Media Cathi DiGiacomo was unable to attend Nationals. Our web site has posted the daily results of the National Specialty.
CSPCA Charitable Trust The next item of business is not a committee report. It is a report of an independent body the CSPCA Charitable Trust. An independent board operates this. Lee Arnold chairs the board and he usually has a report in every Barker. He does have information for the membership this evening and Jeff Vidt may interpret some of the information as necessary. Dr. Gary Johnson is in his second year and at this time we still don’t have a DNA marker. Dr. Johnson has submitted a report to Lee but it is very involved. According to Dr. Linda Tintle, Dr. Johnson has checked all the areas on the Canine DNA for the mutations that cause human fever disorders and as a result of his complete research of all the blood samples he found no mutations at those sites. Amyloidosis is now like looking for a needle in a haystack. Dr. Johnson has eliminated a lot of hard work, as we now know where it is not located. We could find the test tomorrow or it could be years away. We have great news that Dr. Daniel Kastner is of NIH and is now working with Dr. Johnson. There are more challenges now facing our Shar-Pei. Our major disease that is facing our Shar-Pei right now is cancer. Most Shar-Pei are now dying of mast cell cancer and some are dying of lymphosarcoma cancer. The Canine Health Foundation has five studies now on cancer in other breeds not on mast cell. The board meeting decided last night to direct efforts to mast cell cancer. The Charitable Trust is in very respectable position because of so many efforts from individuals, clubs, and matching funds from the Canine Health Foundation. We will turn our directions now next year to mast cell cancer. We will ask the Canine Health Foundation for three proposals from three, well known, researchers interested in the mast cell cancer study. Following pier review from Dr. Linda Tintle, DVM and Dr. Jeff Vidt, DVM, a study for mast cell cancer in Shar-Pei will be approved. The whole idea of the Charitable Trust is to address every health need for the Shar-Pei. Many people have been wonderful about giving but there are some that take and are not giving back to our breed. This next year we are going to ask those people that have not given back to their breed to do so. Discussion was made my membership regarding mast cell cancer. The trust has earmarked 25 thousand dollars and the Canine Health Foundation will match those funds.
Dr. Jeff Vidt, DVM was asked to address the membership. These are his remarks. In the beginning we said that Amyloidosis was similar to FMF in humans. We were hoping it would be the same and once they sequenced the gene, it would carry over to the Shar-Pei. Unfortunately, it has not. So what we are dealing with is a similar disease but not the same disease. What Dr. Castner lab is doing is one thing that we learned from FMF in man is that gene sequence call for a protein product called pyron which is located in human white blood cells and downgrades the human regulatory response. By measuring the protein level you can determine which individuals are affect and which are not. This has not worked with dogs. Dr. Kastner’s lab is looking at other proteins in Shar-Pei blood that might be used as indicators for Shar-Pei fever. The NIH is looking at this problem and we are very lucky to have them researching this. We also have on line is Dr. Gary Bell to help with clinical genetics. Dr. Vidt is not discouraged as he always felt that this would take time. Pat Evetts, Debbie Theodore, directed questions to Dr. Vidt. In terms of mast cell, we would be looking real hard at grants that are sponsoring treatments. I think we will have a little bit of a problem with prevention because Shar-Pei normally have a higher level of mast cell in their subcutaneous tissue than other breeds. One of the primary areas of cancer research will be in treatment. We can tag along with the human researchers and wait for them to start coming up with causes. We may be able to come in on the coat tails. We need to concentrate on treatment.
Lee Arnold wanted to let everyone know that the Charitable Trust donated $5,000 on the behalf of our breed to a study on elbow displasia. We have joined with several other clubs for this study. We are participating in several research areas with the Canine Health Foundation.
Old Business None
New Business The board has received input from several people. We would like to know if these are concerns of the membership at large. Jocelyn received e-mail in a division of varieties of coat type by Dee Dee Wells. Dee Dee addressed the membership. She stated horse coat was probably was the original dog from China and would be very sad if we were to lose our horse coat. If you look at the percentage of horse coat to brush coat – it is very small. She has received many letters of input on persuing this issue. Dee Dee questions to the membership is – do you want to do this? Cherokee Law has offered to research pedigree to determine how many horse coats are currently being shown, what the statistics are for horse coats winning winner dog, winner bitch, breed, and group? Suggestions were made to divide puppy classes at Nationals to encourage more horse coats. Another suggestion was to have Matgo Law come over to do some shows and possible do some seminars to AKC judges. He has agreed to come if we can find dates etc. It was asked if the two coats were in separate variety could you breed them together and Dee Dee said yes. Discussion was made by Sherri Munsell, Dawn Walling, and Tom Ernst. Dee Dee Wells has agreed to chair the committee to investigate varieties split.
Jocelyn was asked by the show site committee to discuss with the membership regarding a show site that is not necessary affiliated with a hotel. JoAnn Leistner has done some research on this area. Discussion was made by Julia Cregger, Lee Arnold, Judy Dorough, Dee Dee Wells. Jocelyn asked if anyone else had feelings regarding show sites to please contact anyone on the board. A related issue with the Nationals Specialty is whether to return to a single permanent date. Jan Otterson stated concern that a permanent date would limit areas that would be able to host a show. Another possibility was to establish a permanent show committee which would relieve local clubs of having a host committee and reduce the difficulties that are encountered when the host club members wish to show their dogs. The scenario that was presented was that the host club would present the location and then the show committee would take over and handle the show. Discussion by Judy Dorough, Donna Jordan and Lee Ernst.
Jocelyn asked please preach cleanliness, thankfulness to show committee and the working people, politeness and the impressions that we make on individuals last a long time and go along way. This can be a really wonderful place and there are really wonderful people here there are really wonderful dogs here. You are here because you care about making it better. We are all headed in the same direction. The will be a ballot arriving with your next Barker. If you have a question about how to complete that ballot there are directions in the Barker. They are also printed in the by-laws, which are available to you in the Jan/Feb edition each year. Please contact a member of the board and we can provide them for you. Please remind the people that are not here to take the opportunity to vote.
Cyndi Skinner rose to speak about her concern with Junior Handlers. She organized activities this year for this group. The kids would like to reinstate the Top Junior Handler Award. They would like this group become more active. Kim was to give the board a proposal regarding changes to the junior handlers. Jocelyn said that she had not received any paper work from Kim Philipps. Shirley Rafferty made a motion and Georgette Schaefer seconded it to place Cyndi Skinner as Junior Advisor. The motion has been withdrawn. Discussion was made by Bryan Timby, Ann Hickman, Cyndi Skinner, Dee Dee Wells. The board directed Jocelyn to inform Kim Philipps that she will be replaced as Junior Advisor.
A motion was made by Shirley Rafferty and seconded by Dee Dee Wells that the meeting be adjourned. The motion passed unanimously. (10:20 p.m.)
Respectfully Submitted, Georgette Schaefer Secretary
CSPCA GENERAL MEETING MEMBER ATTENDANCE MAY 20, 1999
Lee Arnold Domeinca Furey, Linda Pinkerton Eve Simons-Smith, Judy Welch Lynn Olds, Judy Dorough Rosalee Broguiere, Gail Tighe Dawn Walling, Patrick Tighe, Sherry Munsell, Bert Hickman Cyndi Skinner Julia Abell Donna Jourdan Julia Cregger Pat Evetts Dee Walquest Charlee Abrams Jan Otterson Rev. Alan Klessig Tim Pergeron Harry Roach Nancy Bergeron Marilyn Vinson Thomas Ernst Randie Blumhagen Lee Ernest Georgia Alexander Larry Rafferty Lois Carter Debi Taylor Shea Skinner Thad Taylor Jocelyn Barker Dee Dee Wells Kay Rosenberger Raboor Dejar Georgette Schaefer Vieror Lina Shirley Rafferty Jo Ann Redditt Romana Arnold Peter H. Wittmann Ann Hickman Jeff Mauk Gail Garrison Larry Harvey Bryan Timby Deena Harvey Linda Vidt Jeff Vidt, DVM Bob Rosenberger Jim Carter Debbie Theodore